Farm Aid Grants $7,500 in Oklahoma To Aid Family Farmers Hit By Spring Tornadoes

Farm Aid
Monday, 2 August 1999

Cambridge, MA -- Farm Aid President Willie Nelson today announced a $7,500 emergency relief grant to help family farmers and ranchers hit by devastating spring tornadoes in Oklahoma.

The emergency aid was granted to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, based in Oklahoma City and will be distributed through the 1999 Spring Storms Disaster Response office. The aid is specifically targeted to help family farmers who were victimized by the storms.

"We commend the United Methodist Committee on Relief for their efforts on behalf of family farmers and ranchers in the storm-stricken area," said Nelson. "Farm Aid's work is made possible not only by the continuing generosity of donors all around the country, but also by the commitment and hard work of local relief organizations like the United Methodist Committee."

The tornadoes did millions of dollars in damage in a matter of minutes last May, and family farmers were among those suffering huge losses. Family farms alone sustained more than $9 million in damages, and state agriculture department reports said more than one-half of Oklahoma farm and ranch land received hail, rain, wind and flood damage.

Under Farm Aid guidelines, the emergency funds will be made available to farmers and ranchers in a non-discriminatory way based on financial need. The funds may be used toward a farm family's utility bills, food bills, household expenses, medical expenses or other non-business related emergency situations.

Brian Anderson, project director at the Spring Storms Disaster Response office said the Farm Aid contribution will make a dramatic difference for many farm families.

"There are a lot of farm families that suffered a terrible loss and may not have been able to get aid from other sources. This donation from Farm Aid will allow us to touch a lot of farm and ranch families who may fall into that category," said Anderson.

Farmers seeking more information on the targeted relief may call Anderson's office at (405) 688-9300.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has granted $14.5 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches, and service agencies in 44 states. Nearly one-half of Farm Aid grants are used for Direct Services, including food and emergency aid, legal assistance and hotlines. These services have helped thousands of struggling farm families across the country stay on their land. To contribute to Farm Aid, phone 1-800-FARMAID.

For more information, or to contact Farm Aid, see their website at: www.farmaid.org